Registering and computing mechanism



Sept. 15, 1942. J. c. WOODFORD 2,295,819

REGISTERING AND COMPUTING v MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m. I l

Sept. 15, 1942. J. c. WQODFQRD 2,295,819

REGISTERING AND COMPUTING MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 1942- J. c. W OODFORD REGISTERING AND COMPUTING MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1941 5 Sheets-She'et 3 Sept. 15, 1942. J. c. WOODFORD 2,295,319

REGISTERING AND COMPUTING MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 4 S 15, 1942. J. c. WOODFORD 2,295,819

REGISTERING AND COMPUTING MECHANISM Filed May 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JoszPu C. VVOOOFOAD,

Patented Sept. 15, 1942 REGISTERING AND COMPUTING MECHANISM Joseph C. Woodford, Wayne, Pa., assignor to Wood Manufacturing Company, Inc.,

John Con shohocken, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application May 15, 1941, Serial No. 393,504

8 Claims.

My invention relates to counters of the computing type which are particularly adaptable for use in apparatus used for dispensing gasoline into tanks of automobiles. Most of such liquid dispensing apparatus as are currently purchased for use in service stations include counters adapted to indicate both the quantity and total cost of the gasoline dispensed. Such apparatus includes a variator which may be pre-adjusted to compute the cost of the quantity of the fluid dispensed in accordance with a visible dial-indicated current price, and my invention more particularly relates to the means for setting the variator.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved means, interconnected with the displayed visible price indicators, for pre-adjusting or setting the variator so that the displayed total cost of any fluid dispensed must be computed at the price displayed at the visible price indicators.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to simultaneously disengage the tenths cent, cent, and tens of cents selector gears from mesh-with the variator cone gear, by a single movement of said means, thus permitting any or all of said selectors gears to be moved to changed position with facility by mere turning movement of setting knobs.

Still another object of my invention is the 10- cating at the bottom of the front of the counter mechanism where readily and facilely accessible to the operator, of both the setting knobs and the means to effect disengagement of the selector gears.

A further object of my invention is to provide simplified operating means whereby the current price indicia contemporaneously are set to coincide with a changed setting of the variator.

The counter zeroizing or resetting mechanism shown and disclosed herein forms the subjectmatter of and is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 381,989, filed March 6, 1941.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

Fig. I is a vertical sectional view of a computing unit embodying my invention, taken on the lines I, I in Figs. II and III.

Fig. II is an elevation of the left hand end of the structure shown in Fig. I, but with the side bearing plate removed.

Fig. III is an elevation Of the right hand end of the structure shown in Fig. I.

Fiv. IV is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. I and including the dial plate having apertures therein through which the number wheels are visible.

Fig. V is a skeletonized plan sectional view illustrating the variator price changing mechanism, but showing only the tenth cent selector gear and its appurtenances.

Referring to the drawings; the setting means by which changes in thesetting of the variator may be effected manually, are indicated generally within the lines carrying the reference mark A. The variator mechanism through which the quantity of fluid dispensed, at a pre-adjusted price, is translated into total cost, is indicated generally within the lines carrying the reference mark B. The mechanism for indicating the price at which the variator is set to comput is indicated generally by the reference mark C. The counter mechanism, conveniently a gallons register, for indicating the quantity of fluid dispensed, is indicated generally within the lines carrying the reference mark D. The counter mechanism for indicating the total cost of the quantity of fluid dispensed is indicated generally within the reference mark E.

The primary drive shaft I is adapted to be connected by means of the coupling 2 with the driven shaft 3 of a conventional type of liquid meter as used in liquid dispensing apparatu of the type for which my invention is particularly applicable. Said shaft l is journaled in the bearing bracket 4 on the bottom closure plate 5, which forms part of the housing for the counter mechanism. Said housing also includes the upper plate 6 and the side frames 8 and 9 conveniently held together by means of a series of screws Ill.

Said shaft I carries the bevel gear ll conveniently fastened on said shaft l by means of the pin I2. Said bevel gear II is in mesh with the bevel gear l3 carried by the shaft I4 and conveniently fastened on said shaft by means of the pin l5. Said shaft I4 is journaled in the bearings I6 and Il conveniently formed as bosses on said bottom plate 5. Said shaft i4 carries at its opposite end the gear 18 conveniently fastened on said shaft by means of the pin l9. Said gear I8 is in mesh with the gear 20 rigidly fastened by screws 2 I, to the housing 22 of the friction clutch of the quantity counter. Said clutch housing 22 is carried by the left hand end of the sleeve, or hollow shaft, 24, the right hand end of which is journaled in the side frame member 9.

The friction clutch is of conventional type and includes the clutch springs 25, clutch levers 26, pressure ring 21, clutch driving plate 28, and

disk 29, which disk is interposed between the clutch plate 28 and said gear 20.

Said hollow shaft 24 carries the clutch releasing plunger 3|, the right hand end of which extends beyond said side frame member 9 for engagement with the bell crank lever 32. The plunger rod 3I has mounted on the left hand end thereof the thimble 33 for engagement with the clutch levers 26, when said rod is moved, to the left, as a result of turning movement of the crank 35 which effects operation of the zeroizing mechanism. Said thimble 33 is mounted for reciprocal movement in the bushing 34 carried by the left hand side frame member 8.

The counter mechanism is of ordinary construction and includes the gears 33, 31, and 38 mounted on said hollow shaft 24, and the tens transfer pinions 39 and 90. The transfer pinion 39 is loosely mounted on the supported in the bosses 42 formed on the bottom closure plate 5. Said transfer pinion 40 is loosely mounted on the shaft 44 rigidly supported in the bosses 35, also formed on the bottom closure plate 5.

Said quantity counter generally indicated at D includes two oppositely counterpart series of numbered wheels, one complete series of which is shown in Fig. I, including the counter wheel 43 of lowest order and conveniently carrying indicia indicating tenths of a gallon, the counter wheel 31 of next higher order, conveniently carrying indicia indicating whole gallons, and the counter wheel 38 of highest order, conveniently indicating tens of gallons. The wheel 50 of highest order of the series at the opposite side is shown in Fig. II. The wheels 46, 41, and 43 are carried on the shaft 52 mounted in brackets 53, one of which is shown in Fig. II. The bank of oppositely counterpart wheels, including the wheel 50 of highest order, is carried by the shaft 54 mounted in brackets 55, one of which is shown in Fig. II. Necessary gearing connections are, provided for connecting the numbered wheels with their gears 36, 37, and

33 of the quantity counter mechanism.

The sleeve 51, which is mounted to turn on the sleeve 24, has rigidly connected therewith the gear wheel 58 and the ratchet wheel 60, which ratchet wheel 60 is provided with a circular series of ten ratchet notches. nected by a series of rivets 32. The sleeve 63, likewise mounted to turn on said sleeve 24, also has connected therewith a similar gear wheel 58, and ratchet wheel 60.

Each of'said gears 33, 31, and 38 carries a bell crank pawl 35 pivotally connected thereto on respective studs rigidly mounted on said respective gears 36, 31, and 38. The pawl tips are adapted to be engaged in notches, or slotted keyways, 68, in said sleeve'24' during the resetting to zero operation of the counter, as fully described in my copending application Serial No. 381,989.

Said gear engages the gear 82 driving the variator mechanism generally indicated at B, and including the cone gear 33. The variator mechanism illustrated in Fig. I is of the type shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,151,239, granted to Slye et al., but the improved means for adjusting the variator shown herein is the subject-matter of my invention.

The cone gear 83 drives three selector gears 34, 84 and 83 which in turn drive the cost value gear85 through differential or planetary gearing 33 all 'as fully describedin said Slye et a1.

shaft 4 I rigidly Said wheels are con- Patent No. 2,151,239. The total cost register indicated generally by the reference mark E is driven through the clutch assembly 88 in the housing 89 on which said gear is rigidly mounted by means of screws 90. Said clutch 88, similar to the clutch for the quantity register, includes clutch springs 9I, clutch levers 92, pressure ring 93, clutch driving plate 95, and disk 98, which disk is interposed between the clutch plate and the end closure plate 9! of said clutch housing 89. The clutch housing 89 is carried by the left hand end of the sleeve, or hollow shaft, 98, the right hand end of which is journaled in the side member 9, as indicated by the reference mark 99.

The hollow shaft 98 carries the clutch releasing plunger I 09, the right hand end of which extends beyond the side frame member 9 for engagement with the bell crank lever arm 32'. The plunger rod I30 has mounted on the left hand end thereof the thimble I92 for engagement with the clutch levers 92, when said rod is moved to the left by operation of the zeroizing mechanism through rotation of the crank 35, all as described in my copending application Serial No. 381,989 which relates specifically to such zeroizing structure. Said thimble I02 is mounted for reciprocal movement in the bushing I03 carried by the left hand side frame member 8.

The counter mechanism is of ordinary construction and includes the ears I05, I06, and I0! mounted on said hollow shaft 98, and the tens transfer pinions I08 and I09. The transfer pinion I03 is loosely mounted on the shaft I I0 rigidly supported in the bosses III formed on the top closure plate 6. Said transfer pinion I09 is loosely mounted on the shaft II 3 rigidly supported in the bosses H3, also formed on the top closure plate 6.

Said total cost counter, generally indicated at E, includes two oppositely counterpart series of number wheels, one complete series of which is shown in Fig. I, including the wheel I I 6 of lowest order and conveniently carrying indicia indicating from 0 to 9 cents; the counter wheel II? of next higher order, conveniently indicating from 0 to 9 tens of cents; and the counter wheel II8 of highest order, conveniently indicating from 0 to 9 dollars.

The wheel II 9 of highest order, or the dollar Wheel, of the series at the opposite side, is shown in Fig. II, the Wheels IIB, II I, and 8 being carried on the shaft I20 mounted in brackets I2I, one of which is shown in Fig. II. The bank of oppositely counterpart wheels including the wheel II9 of highest order, is carried by the shaft I22 mounted in brackets I23, one of which is shown in Fig. II. Necessary gearing connections are provided for connecting the number wheels with their gears I05, I 06, and I0! of the total cost register.

The price indicators include two oppositely counterpart series of number Wheels I 25, I 26, and I2! and I25, I26, and I27. The series of wheels I 25, I 26, and I21 are carried on the shaft I30, the opposite ends of which are journaled in bearing brackets I3I and I32 which are formed on the supporting plate I 34 fastened to the side wall members 8 and 9. The series of wheels I 25, I26, and I21 are carried on the shaft I30, the opposite ends of which are journaled in bearing brackets I3I' and I32 which are formed on the supporting plate I34 fastened to the side wall members 8 and 9.

Said wheels I25 and I25 are the wheels of lowest order, and conveniently carry indicia indicating tenths of a cent; said wheels I26 and I26 are the wheels of next higher order, and conveniently carry indicia indicating cents; and said wheels I21 and I21 are the wheels of highest order, and conveniently carry indicia indicating tens of cents. The wheel- I25 is carried by the hub I35, which is mounted to turn freely on the shaft I30. Said wheel I25 is maintained in position on the shaft I by the collar I36 which is fastened to the shaft I30 by means of the set screw I31. Said hub I has formed at its right hand end, as shown in Fig. V, the gear I40. Thus, rotation of the gear I40 effects simultaneous rotation of the wheel I25. The gear I40 meshes with the bevel gear I4I which is rigidly mounted at one end of the shaft I42. Said shaft I42 is journaled in the supporting plates I34 and I34 mounted on opposite sides of said walls 8 and 9. Said shaft I42 has rigidly mounted thereon at its opposite end the bevel gear I46 in mesh with the gear I41 which is rigidly mounted on the sleeve I48. Said sleeve I48 is free to turn on the shalt I30 carrying the oppositely counterpart set of wheels I25, I26, and I21. The wheel I25 is carried by and rigidly fastened to the opposite end of the sleeve I48.

The wheels I26 and I26 are respectively mounted on hubs I54 and I55. The hub I54, with the wheel I26 rigidly mounted thereon, is carried by and is free to turn on said shaft I30. The hub I55, with the Wheel I26 rigidly mounted thereon, is carried by and is free to turn on said sleeve I48 carried by said shaft I3I. Said hub I54 has the gear I51 formed at the right hand end thereof, as shown in Fig. V. Said gear I51 meshes with the bevel gear I58 rigidly mounted at one end of the shaft I59, which is journaled in the brackets I34 and I34. Said shaft I59 has rigidly mounted at its opposite end the gear I69 which meshes with the gear I6I formed at one end of the hub I55.

The wheel I21 has rigidly connected thereto the gear I62 and said wheel I21, including the gear hub I64, is mounted for freedom of turning movement on the shaft I30. Said wheel I21, and gear I62 with its hub I64, are maintained in position on the shaft I30 by means of the collar I65, which is conveniently rigidly fastened to the shaft I30 by means of the set screw I66. Said gear I62 meshes with'the bevel gear I10 rigidly fastened to the shaft "I, which is journaled in the brackets I34 and I34. The opposite end of said shaft I1I has rigidly mounted thereon the gear I12. Said gear I12 meshes with the gear I13 which is rigidly fastened to shaft I30, conveniently by means of the pin I15. The wheel I21 is rigidly mounted on the supporting hub I16, and said hub I16 is rigidly mounted on said shaft I30, conveniently by means of the pin I 11.

Said shaft I42 has rigidly mounted thereon, intermediate of the gears MI and I46, the sprocket gear I80. Said gear I80 is connected by the sprocket link chain I8I with the sprocket gear I82. Said sprocket gear I82 is rigidly fastened to one end of the shaft I83 which is journaled in the bearing bracket I86 rigidly connected to the bottom plate 5, conveniently by screws I81, one of which is shown in Fig. III. Said shaft I83 has rigidly mounted at the front end thereof the knurled knob I88.

Said shaft I59 has rigidly mounted thereon, intermediate of the gears I58 and I60, the sprocket gear I90, similar to the gear I80. Said gear I90 is connected by the sprocket link chain HM with the'sprocket gear I92. Said sprocket gear I92 is rigidly fastened to one end of the shaft I93 which is journaled in said bearing bracket I86. Said shaft I93 has rigidly mounted at the front end thereof the knurled knob I98.

Said shaft I1I has rigidly mounted thereon, intermediate of the gears I10 and I12, the sprocket gear 200, similar to the gears I and I90. Said gear 200 is connected by the sprocket link chain 20I with the sprocket ear 202. Said sprocket gear 202 is rigidly fastened to one end of the shaft 203 which is journaled in said bearing bracket I86. Said shaft 203 has rigidly mounted at the front end thereof the knurled knob 208.

The construction and arrangement is such that turning movement of the knob I88 effects simultaneous turning movement of the tenths cent indicator wheels I25 and I25; turning movement of the knob I98 effects simultaneous turnin movement of the cents indicator wheels I26 and I26; and turning movement of the knob 208 effects simultaneous turning movement of the tens of cents indicator wheels I21 and I21.

Said shaft I42 has rigidly mounted thereon the pinion 2 I0 which is in engagement with the depending sliding rack 2II rigidly fastened by means of screws 2I2 to the reciprocating rod 2I3 which is journaled in bearings in the side frame members 8 and 9.

As best shown in Figs. IV and V, said rod 2I3 carries at its left hand end the bifurcated fork 2M, conveniently rigidly fastened to said rod 2I3 by means of the screw 2I5. Said fork 2I4 engages the groove 2I6 of the supporting frame member 2I8 for the tenths cent selector gear 84. The selector gear 84 is journaled on the shaft 2I9 rigidly mounted at its opposite ends in the bearing arms 22I and 222 formed as part of said supporting frame member 2I8. Said supporting frame member 2 I8 is mounted to slide axially on its keyed shaft 224, one end of which is journaled in the side frame member 8 and the other end of which is journaled in the variator side bearing plate 226. Said supporting frame member 2I8 is provided with the guide pin 228 which is rigidly fastened to the sliding bracket 229. The ends of the bracket 229 are formed in bights 239 and 23I for sliding guiding engagement with the U- shaped bail member 232 which is mounted for freedom of turning movement on the bushings in which the respective ends of the keyed shaft 224 are journaled. Said bail 232 is provided with the guide slot 285 in registry with the guide pin 228 carried by the supporting frame member 2I8.

Said sliding bracket 229 has rigidly mounted thereon the stud 240 adapted to be engaged with any one of the stepped series of notched recesses MI in the arcuate guide plate 242 which is rigidly fastened by screws 243 to bosses 245 formed on the bearing plate 226. Engagement of the stud 240 with one of the notched recesses assures that the selector gear 84 is in full registry with the corresponding gear formed on the stepped gear cone 83. The bail 232 and supporting frame member 2I8, with its selector gear 84, are continually stressed counterclockwise by the spring 250, one end of which encircles the stud 25I rigidly mounted in the bail 232, and the other end of which spring 250 is rigidly fastened to the armate notched guide plate 252 forming part of the cents selector gear assembly. Thus, said selector gear 84 is continually stressed toward engagement with the stepped cone gear 83.

The stationary gear 255 is provided to engage the selector gear 84 when the desired figure of the tenths centsis 01. V l

7 Each of said cents; selector gear 84 and the tens of cents selector gear 84* is provided with an assembly identical to that above described with reference to the tenths of cents selector'ge'ar 84. The shifting assembly for the cents selector gear' 84 is mounted at the left hand end of the reciprocating rod 258 which is journaled in bearings in the side frame members 8 and 9. Said reciprocating rod 258 has formed on the underside thereof the sliding'rack 268- for engagement with the pinion 28I which is rigidly mounted on the shaft I58.

The shifting assembly for the tens of cents selector gear 88 is mounted at the left hand end of the reciprocating rod 282- whieh isjournaled in bearings in the side frame members 8 and 9. Saidreciprocating rod 282 has formed on the underside thereof the sliding rack 283 for engagement with the pinion 288 which is rigidly mounted onthe shaft I'II.

Referring more particularly to Fig. II; the selector gear release lever 2811s rigidly connected to the release ring 288 which is carried, in coaxial relation with the stepped cone gear 83, by a series of guide rollers 289 which are provided with grooved faces 218- whichengage the inner circumference of said ring 288. Said groove guide rollers 289 are conveniently pivota-lly mounted on I studs 2Y2 screwed into the side frame member 8. Said ring 288 and lever 287 are continually stressed counterclockwise by the spring 213; one end of which encircles the stud 2% carried by the lever 26'! and the other end of said spring 273 is connected to and encircles the stud 275 rigidly mounted in said side frame member 8.

Said release ring 288 is provided with a series of three studs 216 for engagement with the respective side members of the three bails 282 of the assemblies for the respective selector gears 84, 84 and 84*. When said lever 281 is pushed to the left from the position shown in Fig. II, such movement of the lever 28'! moves the release ring 288 clockwise on its guide rollers 289 and causes the studs 216 to come into engagement with the side members of the respective bails 232. Continued clockwise movement of said ring 268 causes the supporting frame members 2I8 to be swung clockwise about their respective shafts 224, thus simultaneously moving the selector gears 88, 84 and 88 out of engagement with the stepped cone gear 83.

Operation of price changing mechanism The price changing mechanism operates as follows when it is desired to effect a change in the rate at which the dollar register E computes in relation to the gallon register D:

The release lever 287 is pushed to the left in Fig. II by the operator, which causes the release ring 288 to move clockwise, in coaxial relation with the gear 83, around the series of grooved guide rollers 289. Such continued clockwise movement of the release ring 268 causes each of the three studs 27.8 to engage the side members of the bails of the assemblies for the respective selector gears 84, 88 and 84' against the effective forces of their effective springs 258, and out of engagement with the stepped cone gear 83.

Each of said selector gears 84, 84 and 84 when thus held in disengaged position with respect to the cone gear 83 by continued pressure of the operators thumb on the lever 26?, is now free to be moved axially on its keyed shaft to a changed position in registry with any one of the series of gearfac'es comprising the cone gear 83. Such axial movement of the selector gears is effe'cted through turning movement of the knurled knobs I88 I98, and 288 conveniently located at the bottom of the housing, as best shown in Fig. Iv.

The tenths cent selector gear 84 is moved to changed position by turning movement of the knurled knob I88. Turning of the knob I88 causes the gear I82 to turn simultaneously, thus causing simultaneous movement of the gear I which is connected to the gear I82 by the sprocket chain I8I. The gear I80 being fastened on the shaft I42 causes the gears MI and I48 to move simultaneously with any movement of the gear i538. Such movement of the bevel gears MI and I88 causes simultaneous movement of the gears I48 and I l]. The gear I88 being fastened to the indicator wheel I25 and the gear I4! being fastened to the sleeve I 68 carrying the wheel I25, said indicator wheels I25 and I25 m'ove contemporaneously with any movement of the gear I82. The pinion gear 2I'8 in engagement with the rack 2II carried by .the reciprocating shaft 2I3, being likewise fastened to the shaft I82, turning movement of the gear I82 causes said reciprocating rod 2I8 to be moved either to the left or to the right in Fig. V in accordance with the direction in which the knurled knob I88 is turned by the operator. Movement of the reciprocating rod 2I3 causes the selector gear assembly to be moved on its keyed shaft 224 to the desired changed position in registry with the desired gear face of the cone gear. When the lever 26! and'ring 288 are released by the operator, the selector gear assembly is moved counterclockwise by the effective forces of the spring 258. The stud .2 38 coming into engagement with the notch in the guide plate 242 assures the correct alignment of the selector gears with the desired gear face of the cone gear 83.

The selector gears W and 84' may be moved to changed position in exactly the same manner respectively by movement of the knurled knobs I88. and 288.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the price indicator wheels and the selector gears are so interconnected that the selector gears must be in engagement with the proper gear of the cone gear to effect computation at the price displayed at the price indicator wheels, withthe result that the total cost register must be the product of the displayed number of gal- Ions dispensed multiplied by the displayed price per gallon.

After the selector gears have been moved to the desired changed positions, and the operator has released the pressure on the lever 267 to permit the selector gears to again go into engagement with the'cone gear 83, the mechanism is then ready to compute at the price displayed on the price indicator wheels, exceptthatthe first succeeding dispensing operation will be in error the amount of the backlash entering the gear train during the price setting. Therefore, the mechanism should be run momentarily to take up the backlash, and thereafter the registers be reset to zero, as fully described in my copending application Serial No. 381,989. After the backlash has been thus taken up, the mechanism then will compute correctly at the changed price displayed at the price indicator wheels.

However, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction'and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In variating mechanism, adapted to operate registering means, including a drive shaft having a cone of gears of different diameters non-rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of axially parallel supplemental shafts adjacent to said drive shaft, a driven member rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and differential means rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and connecting said supplemental shafts to said driven member; the combination with a plurality of selector gears; of a plurality of selector gear sliding arm support assemblies, one of which is slidably mounted on each supplemental shaft; means normally effecting engagement of said selector gears with said cone gear; means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear; and means for effecting sliding movement of each selector gear when in disengaged position, including a rack shaft in operating relation to each of said selector gears and a pinion gear in operating relation to each of said rack shafts.

2. A structure as in claim 1; wherein the means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear includes a lever; a release ring connected to said lever; and means connected to said release ring for engagement with said sliding arm support assemblies.

3. A structure as in claim 1; wherein the means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear includes a lever; a release ring connected to said lever; and studs mounted on said release ring for engagement with said sliding arm support assemblies.

4. In variating mechanism, adapted to operate registering means, including a drive shaft having a cone of gears of different diameters non-rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of axially parallel supplemental shafts adjacent to said drive shaft, a driven member rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and differential means rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and connecting said supplemental shafts to said driven member; the combination with a plurality of selector gears; of a plurality of selector gear sliding arm support assemblies, one of which is pivotally slidably mounted on each supplemental shaft; a U-shaped bail member mounted for freedom of turning movement on each supplemental shaft; a guide slot in said bail member; a guide,

pin carried by each assembly for guiding engagement with said bail member guide slot; means normally effecting engagement of said selector gears with said cone gear; means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear; and means for effecting sliding movement of each selector gear when in disengaged position, including a rack shaft in operating relation to each of said selector gears and a pinion gear in operating relation to each of said rack shafts.

5. A structure as in claim 4; wherein the means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear includes a lever; a release ring connected to said lever; and means connected to said release ring for engagement with said sliding arm support assemblies.

6. A structure as in claim 4; wherein the means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear includes a lever; a release ring connected to said lever; and studs mounted on said release ring for engagement with said bail members.

'7. In variating mechanism, adapted to operate registering means, including a drive shaft having a cone of gears of different diameters non-rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of axially parallel supplemental shafts adjacent to said drive shaft, a driven member rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and differential means rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and connecting said supplemental shafts to said driven member; the combination with a plurality of selector gears, of a :plurality of selector gear sliding arm support assemblies, one of which is slidably mounted on each supplemental shaft; means normally elfecting engagement of said selector gears with said cone gear; means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear; means for effecting sliding movement of each selector gear when in disengaged position, including a rack shaft in operating relation to each of said selector gears; a pinion gear shaft for each rack shaft; a .pinion gear rigidly mounted on each pinion gear shaft and in operating relation to each of said rack shafts; a price indicator carrying numerical indicia for each pinion shaft; means connecting said price indicators with said. pinion gear shafts; whereby movement of a pinion gear effects simultaneous movement of its price indicator so that the displayed indicia coincides with the corresponding setting of the selector gear in its engaging position with the selected gear of said cone of gears.

8. In variating mechanism, adapted to operate registering means, including a drive shaft having a cone of gears of different diameters non-rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of axially ,parallel supplemental shafts adjacent to said drive shaft, a driven member rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and differential means rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and connecting said supplemental shafts to said driven member; the combination with a plurality of selector gears, of a plurality of selector gear sliding arm support assemblies, one of which is slidably mounted on each supplemental shaft; spring means normally effecting engagement of said selector gears with said cone gear; means for effecting substantially simultaneous disengagement of all of said selector gears from said cone gear; means for effecting sliding movement of each selector gear when in disengaged position, including a rack shaft in operating relation to each of said selector gears; a pinion gear shaft for each rack shaft; a pinion gear rigidly mounted on each :pinion gear shaft and in operating relation to each of said rack shafts; a second shaft, having a knob at the exterior end, for effecting manual rotation of said pinion shaft, including means connecting said pinion gear shaft and said second shaft; a price indicator carrying numerical indicia for each pinion shaft; means connecting said price indicators with said pinion gear shafts; whereby movement of a knob effects simultaneous movement of its price indicator so that the displayed indicia coincides with the corresponding setting of the selector gear in its engaging position with the selected gear of said cone of gears.

JOSEPH C. WOODFORD. 

